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Advocacy Lesson (4 Day Plan)
Advocacy Focus, East Early College High School
Date - Monday-Thursday - April 29, 30 and May 1, 2
Essential Question: How comfortable are you with public speaking?
Activity -(Writing/Discourse/Reading)
Task 1: The Power of the Stair
- Have students stand in two lines facing each other, about 1 ½ feet apart from each other.
- Explain to the pair, that they must maintain eye contact, remain silent for 1 minute. If any pairing laughs or otherwise breaks the silence and the eye contact, then the entire group will have to start all over.
- Once, the entire class is able to complete the 1 minute of silence and complete eye contact, have the students "high-five" each other and have one of the groups rotate clockwise, so students have a new partner. (You may choose this same cycle up to three times).
- After each student has had three different partners, as the following questions:
- How did you feel?
- Were there uncomfortable moments?
- Would you have done anything differently?
Task 2: The Good and The Bad
- On the board, write "good speaker" and "bad speaker," then ask the students the following questions: (remind students to use concepts like- tone, voice, posture, eye contact, body language/posture, content, attitude, etc.)
- What are the qualities of a good speaker?
- What are the qualities of a bad speaker?
- Do you have examples of people who you think are good or bad speakers?
- What was memorable about the good speaker's story/or speech?
- Have a student leader write the responses on the board.
- Allow 5-10 students to provide examples of good/bad speakers from media, personal life, etc.
Task 3: The Impactful Memory
- Ask the students to write down a memory (good, bad, painful, joyous, epic, hilarious, etc.)- they can just any important memory that is connected to their community.
- Pair-Share- have students share their memory with their partner- they have 1 minute.
- Now, ask the student to frame their story as to why they want to change their community. They should answer the following:
- What are the events/moments that have shaped you?
- If there was one thing you want to change in your community, what would it be?
- Why is the thing you want to change important?
- What do you need to make the change in your community?
- Students should respond to these questions on paper- and align these ideas with their original story. Students should revise ideas and prepare to present their story.
Task 4: My Story and Why it Matters
- Each student will go to the front of the classroom and share his or her story.
- Students should introduce themselves and the audience must pay attention.
- Once the speaker has presented, all students must applaud.
- Have the audience provide feedback- ways that the speech/or story can improve. Also, have students highlight what strengths were demonstrated by the presenter.
Reflection and Discourse - Closing Discuss: How did it feel to share your story? What was challenging? Why is public speaking important?